Setbacks are a part of being an athlete, and Tara Davis-Woodhall knows that better than most. Never one to shy away from the spotlight or the pressure that comes with it. After dazzling fans with a gold medal-winning 7.10-meter leap at the 2024 Paris Olympics and clinching the women’s long jump title at the 2025 Drake Relays, the 25-year-old soared into elite company. She became more than just a champion. She became the face of flair, power, and poise in the sandpit. Yet, she felt the jolt of a setback. But in true athlete fashion, she found her flair once again! Not on the tracks this time, but somewhere surprising!

But in a twist that left fans puzzled, the reigning queen of American long jump was noticeably absent when Michael Johnson unveiled his new track league packed with stars. No mention. No invite. Just silence. So, at Athlos, the bold, women-centered track and field event was founded by Alexis Ohanian, husband of tennis legend Serena Williams. From starring in promotional clips to headlining this year’s meet, TDW has become one of Athlos’ marquee figures. But amidst the competition and flashing cameras, Tara took a moment to acknowledge a deeper inspiration for her childhood hero, Serena herself.

Tara Davis-Woodhall took to Instagram Stories, highlighting a deeply personal moment that stopped her in her tracks. Sharing a candid photo of herself mid-sip at a café, she added a caption that reflected both awe and gratitude, “Moment of realization when you realize the #1 woman you looked up to in sports, knows who you are.” Tagging Serena Williams directly, she continued, “@serenawilliams thank you to you.. for forever changing sport and supporting women while doing it.” It was a quiet yet powerful tribute. A nod from one game-changer to another reveals how much it meant for Tara to feel seen by the icon who helped redefine what it means to be a woman in sport.

Tara’s heartfelt Instagram story was in response to Serena Williams giving her royal seal of approval to the star. The 23-time Grand Slam champion, known for both her dominance and generosity in sport, had shared on X a short, sweet, and supportive note. In response to Tara’s motivational clip for Ohanian’s track and field event. “Let’s go @athlos @tar___ruh.” A simple gesture, but one that sent shockwaves through the track and field community. For Tara, it wasn’t just a repost. It was a full-circle validation from the very woman who helped shape her ambition. Athlos NYC, which debuted in September with a lineup of sprint-heavy events. The 100m, 200m, and 100m hurdles are now expanding.

With the addition of the women’s long jump in the 2025 edition, Tara Davis-Woodhall won’t just be a participant. She’ll be the face. And she’s not showing up alone. In a reel shared by Athlos, founder Alexis Ohanian asked Tara if there were others she wanted to celebrate. Her response was immediate and electric: “Gabby Thomas. Do you all know Gabby Thomas? Sha’Carri Richardson is doing the same thing, and I mean, these women are the stars of our sport.” For Tara, true greatness means shining light on those sprinting beside her.

Tara Davis-Woodhall’s fight for the track’s future and visibility

For Tara Davis-Woodhall, it’s never been just about personal glory. In a candid interview with Cosmopolitan, she laid her mission bare, “I just want this sport to be elevated back to where it used to be… I’m trying to change it and let people see it and put a different scope on what track and field is and share the many inspiring stories it has to offer.” Field events, despite demanding extraordinary athleticism, are too often left in the shadows while sprints hog the spotlight. But Davis-Woodhall is determined to flip the narrative, advocating for visibility and the recognition field athletes have long deserved.

Her track record speaks for itself. In 2020, she made her Olympic debut in Tokyo, finishing sixth. Fast-forward to 2024 in Paris, and Tara stunned the world with a 7.10-meter gold-winning leap. But despite her accolades, Tara was glaringly absent from Michael Johnson’s newly launched Grand Slam Track (GST). A high-profile league focused solely on sprints and hurdles. That omission wasn’t lost on fans or on Tara and her husband, Paralympic star Hunter Woodhall. When Johnson claimed, “I think I can save track; I don’t think I can save track and field,” Tara fired back on social media, “Michael, you are ruining the sport if you are trying to save just track… It’s track and field for a reason.”

The tension sparked a broader debate. While Johnson later clarified that GST’s initial track-only format was strategic for fan engagement and financial viability, his explanation didn’t erase the sting. To Tara and many others, it signaled an ongoing problem. Sidelining field events is not just a business choice. It’s a cultural one. But instead of waiting for a seat at someone else’s table, Tara’s building her own spotlight. And now, with Serena Williams recognizing her journey, that spotlight’s never been brighter.